As a familiar saying goes, “Our skin reflects our health”. It is, therefore, appropriate to treat our skin with utmost care. However, we tend to overlook that and end up doing things that can harm the skin. It is agreeable that some things are beyond our control – natural ageing, but when it comes to caring for the skin, specific lifestyle changes and unhealthy habits can get in the way.
The majority of these habits that harm the skin are good skin habits which we may need to be made aware of. Excessive use of good skin habits, such as skin exfoliation or anti-ageing creams, can sometimes do more harm than good. However, there is always time to recognise these habits and break them to be in good health and maintain happy and healthy skin.
Here are five habits that damage your skin without you realising;
Taking long hot showers
Bathing in water that is hotter than 39 degrees Celsius (102 degrees Fahrenheit) can irritate the skin, causing dryness, redness, itching, and even peeling [similar to sunburn]. Bathing in hot water can upset the skin’s natural moisture balance, depriving it of the natural oils, fats, and proteins that keep it healthy. Dry skin can increase your risk of infection and cause an overproduction of oils to compensate for the lack of moisture.
Bathe in water close to average body temperature (37C/98.6F) to reduce moisture loss compared to hot water. Pat the skin dry. After a bath, when your skin is still moist, is the best time to moisturise your body.
Sleeping with makeup on
Sleeping in your makeup is one of the worst skin-related bad habits. Because it allows oils to accumulate on your face, clogging pores. The more gunk accumulates in your pores, the more likely they will become infected and cause acne breakouts — or even cystic acne.
As a result, make sure to remove all of your makeup, including eye makeup, before going to bed every night. You may believe that sleeping with a bit of mascara on is acceptable. Even if it does not appear that much has transferred onto your pillowcase, bacteria can grow on top of those residue traces and cause future problems. To remove makeup quickly, keep a bottle of micellar water or coconut oil on hand.
Smoking
Smoking is a significant cause of premature ageing and, in general, a bad habit. It causes wrinkles, fine lines, dull skin, and discolouration, among other things. Who wants all of these to happen to their skin?
Smoking also causes dehydration, which leads to dryness and collagen breakdown. So, if you want healthier skin, this is a must-avoid terrible habit.
Not consuming enough water
If you do not get enough sleep, your skin will show. If you smoke or consume excessive amounts of coffee and alcohol, you will age faster than the average person. However, numerous other factors can influence how well your skin looks and feels, including how much water you drink daily.
The human body is roughly 60% water, and it, like any other living thing on the planet, requires proper hydration. Drinking eight glasses of water per day (or more if you exercise frequently) aids in the elimination of toxins from your system, preventing them from building up inside your cells and causing damage over time.
Furthermore, when you are dehydrated, your body produces more oil than usual because it believes you require more oil to keep yourself moisturised. This is why some people break out when sick or sleep poorly. So, if it helps, purchase a water bottle that you can carry with you throughout the day to remind you to drink more water.
Neglecting sunscreen
Sun protection is essential for all skin types. SPF is not just for the beach; it is a daily requirement. UV rays can cause collagen damage, which leads to wrinkles and premature ageing. This is why it is critical to wear sunscreen daily, even without the sun.
Our skin can say much about our health, which is why neglecting it or continuing with such unhealthy habits will end up causing harm to our bodies. Improve your skin health by doing things that will be good and beneficial to your skin. However, if staying away from bad habits that can harm your skin does not improve your skin quality, you can always speak to our doctor HERE.
